Steven Luatua and Jeff Toomaga-Allen come in for Manu Samoa
Samoa call up former All Blacks for November Tests
Manu Samoa boss Seilala Mapusua has called up former All Blacks Steven Luatua and Jeff Toomaga-Allen for the Pacific side’s tour of the North this November. The pair are able to do so thanks to the World Rugby eligibility amendment which allows certain national switches.
Samoa face Italy on Saturday 5th November, in Padua. They will also face Georgia and Romania.
SQUAD NAMING | Vaovasamanaia names Manu Samoa squad for Northern Hemisphere Tour 2022 | #WeAreManuSamoa pic.twitter.com/Y7zLFOlqeT
— Manu Samoa (@manusamoa) October 5, 2022
As well as Luatua (15 caps for New Zealand) and Toomaga-Allen (one cap), Samoa have also called in Duncan Paia’aua, the Toulon centre who was called up by the Wallabies in 2021 but never used. His giant club-mate Brian Alainu’uese, a lock, is also in line for a Samoa debut, while Tala Gray (32) is also in line for a first cap.
Other noteworthy inclusions are recent Waratah’s signing Taleni Seu, Saracens stand-out Theo MacFarland, and keep your eyes peeled for versatile back Ulupano Seuteni, who recently switched Bordeaux for La Rochelle and who has been out of national reckoning since 2019.
After a few down years, Samoa look to be on the rise again, and not just because they have picked Steven Luatua
Their options in the pack are up there with any tier two side in recent memory
Their clash with Italy will be a very interesting watch https://t.co/rbxqDEM8Ag
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) October 5, 2022
Samoa’s recent form saw them defeat Fiji, Tonga and Australia A in July. They head to Europe full of promise.
Next year, Samoa will hope to mix it up in Rugby World Cup 2023, with them in a group with England, Japan, Argentina and Chile.
Samoa squad for November Internationals
Backs: Tomasi Alosio, Des Sepulona, Tumua Manu, Joe Perez, Duncan Paia’aua, Alapati Leiua, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala, Stacey Ili, Ulupano Seuteni, Rodney Iona, D’Angelo Leuila, Ere Enari, Jonathan Taumateine.
Forwards: Fritz Lee, Talalelei Gray, Afaesetiti Amosa, Jordan Taufua, Steven Luatua, Taleni Seu, Theo McFarland, Brian Alainu’uese, Chris Vui, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Donald Brighouse, Nephi Leatigaga, Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Manu Leiataua, Luteru Toloi.
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